Poor workers of oil-rich country
It was already dark, when we came to the settlement of Alit, where five of the oil industry workers, who had vanished in the sea, lived. Chilly winter evening made shabby houses look even more sad. People by the houses looked sad too. They have been informed of the tragic event in the morning, and were waiting for the bodies to be taken to the settlement since, with not much hope though. After the fire, that happened last year, they know: if a body is not found within hours, you can forget of a grave for the family supporter.
Tragedy
According to the official version, last Friday part of the platform at the “Azneft” (the SOCAR unit) oil collector in the Caspian Sea was destroyed by the strong wind (41 meters per second). The change house standing nearby was carried away into the sea. Five people, who were inside, and another five, who were on duty, have vanished, SOCAR informs.
The body of Ilham Gafarov was found on December 16, the rest are considered missing.
According to lent.az, Ilam`s brother Davud, also an oil industry worker, was not at work that day.
Davud Gafarov called his that night to warn him of the beginning storm. The answer was: “You take care too. It`s like the seesaws, everything is swinging. We don`t know what to do”.
Then Ilham called his wife Rasmie to inquire of the daughter Humar and the grandsons. He told her of the strong wind and even jocked, that they have already prayed before death.
Rescue operation
Kamaleddin Geidarov, the emergencies minister, and Rovnat Abdullaev the SOCAR president, arrived to the scene on the second day after the accident.
On December 16 the president issued the executive order “On measures following the accident at the SOCAR oil collector”. The rescue mission staff included experts from emergencies and defense ministries, SOCAR and other state agencies. The search, involving 44 ships and other vessels, 6 helicopters and over 700 men, continues both at sea and along the coast line, the staff informs.
Afraid to tell their names
“I`ve been working at Oil Stones (the oil fields, connected by the pletforms, and a settlement for the industry workers) since I was 20. In the Soviet times the wages were high, the workers lived well. Under bad weather conditions the work stopped wherever it was possible, and personnel was to be taken to the land. Boats, ships on duty, safety vests – everything was ready for emergencies. The platforms were under monitoring, repaired on time. Now the platforms have completely failed, it is dangerous to work on them. Other safety measures are not taken seriously as well”, an oil worker on pension says.
His son is works in the Caspian Sea oil fields now. The man refused to introduce himself out of fear for the son, who might lose the job.
“I do not care, I have my little pension to live on. I am afraid for the son, who might be sacked. People are being sacked with no reason. Why we put up with such a dangerous job? He risks his life, it is true, but he can feed his family this way. What if gets sacked and cannot find any job, to say nothing of a good one?”, the retired worker says.
The workers at the sea fields earn $700 at best (basic part plus bonuses for hard working conditions).
The story
This is not the first tragedy at the Caspian oil fields. 2-3 accidents happen every year, claiming no lives though. The last lethal accident happened no December 4, 2015, a year and ten days ago. After an explosion and the ensuing fire at the deep-water platform at the Gyuneshli field 63 men fell into the sea. 23 were rescued, 12 were fond dead. The rest 19 are still considered missing.
The families of the victims received 15 000 ($8500) manats each then, in accordance with the presidential order.
Kifayat Ibragimova, the widow of missing worker, believes they were killed by natural disaster and irresponsibility alike.
“We know, that work at sea is always dangerous. But what about safety precautions? After what happened with us we have been warning and pledging them, so it does not happen again with other workers – create the necessary conditions. Always a tragedy is needed to take measures. Now again so many families are mourning”.
The cause
Mirvari Gahmanarly, the Committee to protect the oil industry workers, believes, that “irresponsibility increases the number of crimes”. The human rights activist states, 8 accidents have occured in oil industry since 2011 including the last one, claiming 43 lives (though some are still considered missing).
According to the committee statistics, 108 oil industry workers (94 SOCAR employees) died between 2010 and 2015.
Mirvari Gahramanly claims the labor laws non-compliance by SOCAR.
“The platform destroyed by the wind was constructed in 1970 with 30 years of serviceable life. It has undergone only “cosmetic” repairs since then. The platform was recognized as hazardous. Its destruction “caused the collapse” of the adjoining working zone with the new change house and the workers inside.
It is worth knowing, what the consequences will be for those, who fail to understand the risk of placing the change house so close to the hazardous platform. Why the platform has not been dismantled?”, the human rights activists asks.
She notes, that the accidents are likely to repeat, as the term of serviceable life of almost al SOCAR platforms has expired. “Flying over the sea one can observe piles of rusty metal (can be seen from the shore near Oil Stones too). The old platforms are not being dismantled. All around the world the mobile platforms are already in use”.
The lucky family
Five out of ten missing workers are neighbors from the Alyat settlement (one hour drive from Baku downtown). Two of them are brothers – Gyuloglan and Azai Zulfagarov with 8 and 2 kids respectively.
The third brother, Chingiz, smokes nervously, looking at the sea. He speaks slowly, making long pauses. He has a big family to take care of now. Guyloglan has worked in the sea for 25 years, Azai – 15. Out of Guyloglan`s 8 children only one has his own family. The rest are minors. His youngest daughter, who is13, is disabled. Her father has been spending almost half of his salary on her treatment. I don`t know, what awaits the kid ahead.
Azai did not even had an apartment of his own. He lived with the parents. He could not finish the construction of the house to move into it. My two unmarried sisters also live with the parents. Azai`s salary was the only source of income for them. Hardly making the ends meet. Both his kids are minors – 2 and 3 years old. At least to find the body, so that we could bury them”, adds Chingiz.
The neighbors do not say it openly, but they consider the Gafarovs the lucky family. Ilham Gafarov will have the grave!
